Corsetry



L.P.KELLER Dec. 6, i949 CORSETRY Filed June l5. 1946 Dec. 6, 1949 L., P. KELLERl 2,490,137

` coRsE'rRY Filed June 15. 1946 2 sheets-sheet `2 Patented Dec. 6, 1949 UNITED STATES Artur FFICE 2 Claims.

The present invention relates to a class of feminine undergarments generally identified as girdles. This type of garment may be worn as a foundation and abdominal support and is char acterized by its provision of a crotch brace and covering.

In prevailing types of foundation garments the wearer experiences need for frequent adjustment in order to maintain continuously the proper disposition and suspension with respect to the body carriage. Due in part to the characteristic taper of the feminine loin section and the transverse elasticity of the foundation garments circumferential panel components, girdles as heretofore provided, worked or crept upwardly as a result of the flexures and tortions which were imparted during body movements. While numerous attempts have been made to eife'ct the anchoring of girdles against this tendency of creeping, existing designs have been found to possess substantial inconvenience either by reason of crotch or functional impairment or because such structures did not afford complete facility of comfort for continuous wearing throughout the day, taking into consideration the various requirements of body comfort, natural functions, etc. Users in some instances have relied upon the garter atltachment elements as a means for securing the foundation garment against drifting, by attach- `ment to hosiery, but this expedient is totally unsatisfactory since it subjects the stocking tops to a greater `strain than they are physically able to withstand and causes runs, thread separations and other deleterious effects.

With these problemsin View the present invention seeks to achieve as its principal object a carriage enveloping, integral foundation garment having incorporated therewith as an integral portion, a crotch or saddle element which can be quickly and conveniently detached for affording comfort and which in its secured condition comprises a smooth body conforming tie member for preventing. vertical drifting or displacement of the garment under all conditions of wear.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, as will be `more comprehensively set forth hereinafter, attention is now directed to the detailed description following and to the illustrations in the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout and in which:

Fig. l is a front elevational view of a carriage and abdominal foundation garment or girdle constructed in accordance with the features of the present invention and illustrated with the crotch inert fabric contributing stretchment charac-V or saddle tab unhooked and with a portion of the abdominal vertical stretchment panel broken away to reveal posterior construction;

Fig. 2 is a rear elevational View of the same apparatus featured in Fig. l with portions of the rear vertical stretchment panel members bro- 1en away to reveal posterior details of construe ion;

Fig. 3 is an inverted plan view of the structure illustrated in Figs. l and 2, and like Figs. l and 2 illustratively distended as when worn upon the abdomen and body carriage region;

Fig, 4 is an inside development of the corset unit separated along a line parallel with the front panel stitching; and

Fig. 5 is a development view of the outside `of the corset covering material separated along the mutual stitching between vertical stretchment rear panel elements.

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying illustrations, attention is directed to the reference numerals i l and i2. rihese components are inert fabric panel gore sections of which the one designated Si is seamed as at it to an elastic gore panel llt, having horizontal stretchment, and along the bias seam l5 to the elastic vertical stretchment panel i5. The inert panel I2 is in corresponding symmetry attached at the seam Il to the vertical stretchment panel i3 and at the seam I9 to one side of the Zipper element 2l which in turn is sewn to the horin zontal stretchment panel The two gore panels il and i2 are mutually secured along the seam 22, the continuation of which seam, as at 23, correspondingly secures together the abdominal short length vertical stretchment panels it and I3. The continuation of the seam I3 downwardly also forms lapping securement between the horizontal stretchment side panel M and the vertical stretchment fore panel Iii as does the continuation of seam i9 constitute a securement seam between the horizontal stretchment panel 24 with the vertical stretchment panel I8.

The provision of the zipper element 2| parall'eling the seam line I9 affords a vertical line partial disassociation whereby the garment may be more conveniently opened up and pulled over the wider hip measurements without unduly stretching the girdle elasticity. The panels ll and l2 are preferably comprised of two thicknesses of teristics in neither vertical nor horizontal *directions and may be provided with narrow pock yets as at 25 and 25 for receiving a pair of semi- --resilient stiffening members ldesignated '21. 'Ih'e latter are designed to inhibit bulging in the region of the panels l l and i2 which might otherwise obtain particularly when the garment is worn by corpulent individuals.

As is discernible from Figs. l and 3, the proportions of the foregoing described panel components are substantially adequate for overlying the front half of the body carriage and extending slightly beyond an imaginary traverse ing median line as viewed in Fig. 3, so that the junctures between the horizontal stretchment panels it and 25 and their respective contiguous loin panels 3| and 52 comprising the full length seams 33 and 34 lie slightly rearward. The inert loin panels 3i and 32 are connected along vertical gore seams 35 and 55 to the rear vertical stretchment panels 3l and 33, see also Figs. 4 and 5.

An inner lining comprised of the two panels 39 and All', Fig. 5, extends from the upper tape seam d2 to a transverse securing web 43 upon which are carried a series of hook fasteners 54. The lining panels 39 and 5i are co-extensive with a portion of the rear elastic panels 3l and 38 and afford a protection against contact with and wear and soil effects of the wearers body.

The securement hooks ll carried by the transverse web it aord anchorage to a series of cooperating securement elements i5 by means of which a removable protective strip comprised of two sections 35 and lll' is held in place. The opposite end of the protective strip tillil is similarly provided with a series of securement elements itil which engage hooks or eyes 639 sewn in a reinforcing web 5i which bounds the crotch piece generally designated Across the arcuate extremity of the crotch piece 52 there is carried another series of hook elements 53 which when the girdle assembly is fitted into wearing position, aline with eye elements 513, Fig. l, Since the crotch piece 52 together with its internal lining strip i5-ai? partake of resilient transverse characteristics, this member conforms to the body surfaces readily and thereby avoids the unsightliness of bulges, gatherings, etc., characteristic in corresponding components or known apparatus.

rIhe back seam designated 55, Figs. 2, 3 and 5, continues from the waistline band G2 around the crotch pieces 52 to the radius tape 55 upon which are carried the several fasteners 53, and because of the restraint against longitudinal elasticity imparted by the characteristic of the seam the back panels 3l and 3.8, Fig. 3, lend themselves to a faithful molding and conformity to the body contour at their adjacent regions.

rIhe securement eyes 5d to which the crotch piece 52 fastens at the abdominal lower front region are reinforced by segments of arcuate binder tape designated 53, Fig. 2, so as to protect these members from contact with the skin and also so as to afford a padding at the lapping juncture when the hook elements 53 are engaged in securement condition.

It will be understood that the various longitudinal gore seams may be double sewn so as to provide a recess for housing corset stays as already described at 2l and as indicated at BI and 552. These elements assure streamlining adherence of the garment to the body by preventing local bulging or wrinkling effects. As the upper periphery of the garment assembly is defined by a transverse hem tape or double seam 42, so correspondingly the lower peripheral line is correspondingly defined by sectional seam tape portions 63 and 64 and when the crotch piece 52 is secured into position as best indicated in Fig. 3, the lowermost defining seam or hem encircles the thighs, presenting a graceful and appealing adherence to the taper of the thighs.

In order to permit the garment to serve as a securement medium for stockings, the defining seam portions 63 and 64 constitute anchorage for a series of garter loops 68 upon which are pendulously supported conventional stocking fasteners 59. It is to be noted, however, in contrasting signicance with heretofore known foundation garments that the stocking support means 68-69 are not required to prevent the girdle from sliding or drifting upwardly as an effect of the body taper and movements since the crotch piece 52, being a more steadfast and sturdy bracing element, prevents such drifting and thereby relieves the strain which might otherwise result to the wearers stockings. Thus the stockings are subjected solely to the tension originally adjusted therefor and this tension is not altered in either manner by the longitudinal displacement of the girdle.

Upon occasions when the wearer desires to be unhampered by the crotch piece 52 it becomes necessary but to unfasten thevhook elements 53 from their cooperating eyes 511 to afford complete freedom and accessibility without requiring ne removal of any other garments. Again, upon restoring the garment to its functional position, the wearer need but replace the crotch piece 52, securing the hooks 53 to their eyes 5d; to obtain normal condition. The body carriage is thus utilized as an anchorage for stocking support under conditions in which vertical stresses due to body iiexure are almost totally inhibited.

Variations in girth are adjusted by the horizontally elastic loin panels I4 and 24. Bending of the carriage, requiring vertical stretchment is absorbed by the rear panel sections 31 and 38; the short length frontal panels I6 and I8 complementing the stretchment distribution with the rear panels 3'! and 38 and affording local adjustment as required by the natural body eXures which are characteristic to this region. While the effect of the crotch piece 52 is to convert the tubular corset garment into a panty, this transition having as it does all the advantages afforded by a crotch or panty structure does not diminish from the functional advantages and utilities afforded to the wearer and inherent in conventional girdles or foundation garments.

Moreover, by virtue of the body contour defining characteristics of the crotch and hip moulding panels. there is avoided totally the unsightliness of roll gathering or bulging eifects. These features. as is well known. enhance not only the utilitarian, but more signicantlv, the esthetic cualities which are paramount in the achievement of abdominal and carriage girdlng foundation garments.

In illustrating the adaptation. of the present invention, a girdle or Waist length garment has been illustrated and described. These same fea tures are equally adaptablel and functionally advantageous to a combination garment consisting of a brassiere and girdle foundation, such as is known by the term all-in-one or corselette In the latter there is customarily employed shoulder straps for supporting the brassiere portion of the garment. In these combination garments the anchor support aiforded by the instant invention will enhance the comfort and wearing qualities by preventing longitudinal shifting of the garment and the resulting transmission of strain upon the brassiere shoulder straps.

While the present invention has been explained and described with reference to specic contemplations and illustrated through exemplary structural types, it is to be understood nevertheless that numerous modifications and variations are susceptible of incorporation without departing from the essential spirit or scope thereof. It is to be understood therefore that no limitation is intended by the specific language of the specifications above nor by the det/ails featured in the accompanying drawings, except as limited within the terms of the hereunto appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a body molding garment comprised of vertically gored sections including a pair of symmetrical abdominal panel sections of knitted fabric having exclusively vertical ystretchment elasticity and terminating with a lowermost arcuate base curvature bearing a plurality of fastening elements, a pair of symmetrical loin-panel sections of elastic knitted fabric having exclusively horizontal stretchment, each of said loinpanel sections being sewn on vertical edge seams to adjacent ones of said abdominal panel sections, a pair of inert back-loin panel sections each secured on a vertical seam to an adjacent edge of said loin-panel sections, and a pair of nate panel sections each secured on a vertical seam to adjacent edges of said back-loin panel sections and also secured to each other said nate panel sections including integral crotch extremity, portions for affording anchorage and support by attachment to said arcuate base curvature of said abdominal panel sections.

2. In a corset, a pair of symmetrical abdominal wall panels extending between a waistline upper level and a hipline lower level and terminating at said lower level with a transverse binder strip carrying a plurality of fastening elements, a pair of next adjacent horizontal stretchment panels extending between said waist and hipline levels, a pair of inert panel members next adjacent said horizontal stretchment panels, a pair of nate panels next adjacent said inert panels, hosiery supporting means carried by said abdominal and said inert panels, and crotch extremities carried by said nate panels including means for engaging said front panel fastening elements carried by said binder strip to prevent displacement of said garment and resulting transmission of strain through said hosiery supporting elements.

LOUIS P. KELLER.

REFERENCES CITED The `following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

